Method for charging a spray container of enginge starting fluid



June 14, 1966 F. E. KAISER, JR METHOD FOR CHARGING A SPRAY CONTAINER OF ENGINE STARTING FLUID Original Filed July 5, 1962 7a w w United States Patent 3,255,786 1 METHGD FUR CHARGING A SPRAY CGNTATNER 6F ENGTNGE STARTING FLUID lFay E. Kaiser, in, Huntly Road, Niles, Mich. Urigiual application July 5, 1962, Ser. No. 207,568. Divided and this application Mar. 16, 1964, Ser. No.

4 Claims. (Cl. 141-4 This invention relates to a method for charging a spray container with engine-starting fluid. The invention is particularly applicable to charging a spray container with an engine-starting compound used for starting diesel engines in extremely cold climates. This application is a division of my co-pending application Ser. No. 207,568, filed July 5, 1962.

Heretofore it has been the customary practice to charge a container of starting fluid for engines by the use of nitrous oxide as-a propelling agent, as illustrated in US. Patents 2,928,435 and 2,948,595. When using nitrous oxide as a propelling agent, it is necessary to utilize a lubricant and it is necessary in most instances to employ an anti-oxidant agent. The use of an anti-oxidant agent is necessary because of the character of the ether and its reaction in a container tending to form peroxides.

Containers of starting fluid charged with nitrous oxide are characterized by variations of pressure in the container from top to bottom at all times. This difference in pressure decreases the rate of discharge progressively and also produces a varying spray pattern during discharge.

The variations in pressure or the pressure drop during discharge frequently is fifty percent or more. The rate of discharge of starting fluid is important to an operator because of its effect upon the quantity of the charge supplied to an engine during the starting operation. Thus, if pressure reduces to the extent of lowering the rate of discharge of the starting fluid, the operator must compensate the time of discharge in order to insure that an adequate charge of the starting fluid is supplied to the engine. This is true whether the charge is supplied to the air intake of the engine under direct control of the operator or by a mechanical charging device controlled by the operator.

Control of the pattern of spray discharge of engine starting fluid is also important in order to insure a uniform atomization of the starting fluid in the engine air intake. Such uniform atomization will produce uniformly of the fuel-air mixture supplied to the engine cylinders during the starting operation and thereby will expedite the engine starting operation.

It is the primary object of this invention to provide a charged spray container of engine-starting fluid which is so charged that an even or uniform pattern of discharge of the starting fluid occurs and the rate of discharge of the engine-starting fluid at a given temperature remains substantially constant until the container is emptied of the starting fluid.

A further object is to provide a charged spray container for engine-starting fluids wherein the charge of the container consists of a hydrocarbon propellant and a gas under pressure.

A further object is to provide a charged container for engine-starting fluid which is charged with a hydrocarbon propellant having a flash point lower than the flash point of engine-starting fluid so as to permit the use of an engine starting fluid of cheaper character and less volatility than has heretobefore been possible without loss of the starting property of the starting fluid at low temperatures.

A further object is to provide a method for charging a spray container with engine starting material of volatile character wherein the container is first evacuated of air and then has successively introduced therein astarting fluid such as ether, liquid propane and finally CO under pressure.

Other objects will be apparent from the following specification.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a schematic view illustrating the method of charging a container;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged axial detail sectional view of a spray container with valve for discharge of the content; and

FIG. 3 illustrates a step in the operation of charging the container, the same being illustrated in axial section.

Referring to the drawing, the numeral 10 designates a container of the aerosol type having a neck 12 closed by a closure 14 from which depends a tube 16 which extends into the container to a point adjacent to and slightly above the level of the bottom of the container (not shown). The upper end of the tube 16 is enlarged at 18 to form an enclosure for a valve element 20 which is pressed by a spring 22 against a sealing gasket 24 to normally close and seal the central outlet of the container formed in the closure member 14. The valve element 20 is preferably provided with a socket at its upper end within which socket fits the stem 26 of a valve actuator 28 or head. The valve actuator 28 has a discharge 'passage 30 extending from the lower end of the stem to a transverse discharge passage part 32 which is outlined by a liner 34 which has a restricted jet opening 36. The stem 26 is slotted at 38 to a level slightly above the upper end of the valve element 2%) and above the lower surface of the gasket 24 in the normal closed position of the parts. The arrangement of the parts is such that when the container is charged under pressure, depression of the valve actuator 28 unseats the valve element 20 from the gasket 24, permitting the interior gas pressure to force the content of the container up through the tube 16 around the valve 20 through the slot 38 into the discharge passage 30, 32 for a spray discharge.

The container is charged while the valve actuator 28 is removed as by apparatus illustrated in FIG. 3. This apparatus includes a cap or adapter portion 40 which preferably has a skirt 42 fitting around the neck of the container and the margin of the plug 14 with a sealed fit. A discharge conduit 44 of a filling unit has lateral apertures 46 therein spaced from its end and normally sealed by a valve 48 urged to sealed condition by a spring 50 surrounding a tubular gas discharge conduit 52. It will be observed that the conduit 44 terminates in a tip portion 54 projecting from the cap 40 and adapted to fit in the socket at the valve member 20 and to pass snugly through the gasket 24. Consequently, when the cap 40' is applied over the neck of the container, the conduit tip portion 54 enters the socket of the valv member to depress and unseat the same against the action of the spring 22. At the same time the gas conduit 52 and V the valve 48 are urged from a normally closed position to an open position, as illustrated in FIG. 3, for discharge at the apertures 46 of the ingredient being fed through the discharge conduit 44. As soon as withdrawing actionoccurs, the valve 20 is permitted to reseat against the gasket 24 of the container and coincidentally therewith the withdrawal of the cap and the discharge conduit 44 permit the spring 50 to come into play to urge the valve 48 to seated or closed position, thereby shutting off further supply of the content passing through the discharge conduit.

FIG. 1 illustrates apparatus by means of which containers with valved closures 14, but without the valve actuator or head 28, may be charged with a plurality of different charging contents in my invention. Containers are advanced in the apparatus in a predetermined path, as upon a support or conveyor 60 to and past a plurality of stations at which they are successively acted upon or filled. As here shown, four stations are provided, determined by the location of positioning members or actuators 62, 64, 66 and 68, respectively, which are suitably mounted upon a supporting structure (not shown). The positioning members or actuator are preferably double-acting fluid pressure responsive power members, such as cylinderpiston units whose respective pistons have plungers or stems projecting downwardly therefrom and each mounting a valve, such as the valves 72, 74, 76 and 78, respectively. Each of the valves has a nozzle and adapter unit associated therewith and here identified as the nozzles 82, 84, 86 and 88, respectively. These adapters and nozzles may be of the character illustrated in FIG. 3 entailing the use of an adapter 40 and a valve nozzle, which nozzle is spring-urged to closed position and which may be opened as illustrated in FIG. 3 when it contacts and unseats the valve 20 of a pressure container.

The positioning members 62, 64, 66, 68 are preferably air actuated and, for this purpose, a compressed airline 90 is provided in the device, from which line branch the lines 92. Each of the lines 92 has a control valve 94 interposed therein and in turn connected by a normally open line 96 connected to the lower end of the adjacent positioning member of the series 62, 64, 66 and 68. Each of th valves 94 also has a normally inoperative line 98 connected to the top or upper end of the adjacent one of the series of positioning members 62, 64, 66 and 68. The arrangement is such that the valves 94 control the supply of air to the cylinders 62, 64, 66 and 68 to normally urge their plungers to an upper or clearance position and, upon tripping of the valve in response to the assumption of a filling position by a container with respect to any one of the nozzles 82, 84, 86 and 88, the valve 94 associated with that nozzle will be actuated to supply air under pressure through line 98 and to open the line 96' to atmosphere so as to lower the adapter and nozzle 82 into operative filling position, as illustrated in FIG. 3. When the container has been filled by the material supplied through the associated valve of the set 72, 74, 76 1 and 78 as sensed by any suitable pressure or time responsive means or as determined manually, setting of the valve will be reversed to actuate the associated positioning member to withdraw the associated nozzle from the container.

The valves at the various stations are connected with supply means through which fluid or other content may flow during the charging operation. As here illustrated, the valve 72 associated with the nozzle 82 is connected with a line 100 connected with a pump or other element (not shown) for drawing a vacuum. Thus, when a container is at this station, air is evacuated therefrom, this being normally the first step in the filling operation. The valve 78 associated with the nozzle 88 is here shown as being connected by a line 102 connected to a source of carbon dioxide CO under pressure. The valves 74 and 76 associated with nozzles 84 and 86, respectively, are connected to supply systems of any suitable type for introducing to the valve and the nozzle for supply to the containerv of a charging element or ingredient. In the form shown, the valve 74 is connected by a conduit 104 with the outlet of a pump 106 whose inlet is supplied by a conduit 108 which communicates with a booster pump 110 connected with a source of supply of the container charge by a conduit 112. The pump 106 is preferably associated with a double-acting power member 114 preferably fluidpressure operated and here shown as being air operated. The opposite ends of the member 114 have conduits 116 and 118 connected thereto and in turn controlled by a valve 120 connected by a line 122 with the compressed air line 90. Metering means (not shown) may also be provided.

The valve 76 is connected with a similar supply system by means of a conduit 126 discharging from a pump 128 to whose inlet is connected a conduit 130 in turn connected to a booster pump 132 in turn connected with a source of supply of a discharging element by the conduit 134. Pump 128 is operated by a double-acting power member 136 whose opposite ends are connected to conduits 138 and 140 leading from control valve 142 to which a branch line 144 supplies air under pressure by connection with the compressed air line 90. Metering means (not shown) may be a part of this system.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention, line 112 which supplies the charging nozzle 84 is connected to a. source of supply of engine-starting fluid, such as ether. Diethyl ether is preferred although isopropyl ether or other types of ether may also be utilized. If desired, the ether may have a diluent mixed therewith. One such diluent particularly useful is a rubber solvent in the nature of a fractionation of hydrocarbons having a low flash point. Thus I prefer to use a solvent having a flash point in the range from 20 F. to 40 F. (Tag closed up flash point.) The proportion of rubber solvent to ether used for charging the'container may vary, and I have found that it is feasible to use up to 30% rubber solvent in the ether solvent mixture. Normal heptane may be used as a diluent in the same proportions.

The material supplied to the container by the nozzle 86 is preferable a hydrocarbon propellant. Examples are liquid propane CH CH CH which is characterized by a flash point of 158 F., isobutane and butane.

In charging a container it is first evacuated at least partially by connection with the vacuum line through the nozzle 82. The evacuated container is then provided with a measured charge of starting fluid, such as ether or a mixture of ether and diluent, introduced through the nozzle 84. The ether containing partly charged container is then supplied at nozzle 86 with a measured charge of hydrocarbon propellant. Finally, the container charged with ether and hydrocarbon propellant is then supplied with gas under pressure at the nozzle 88 until a selected equilibrium gage pressure of the container contents of from 65 p.s.i. to 110 p.s.i.,is reached. Examples of gases which may be used are carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.

The quantities of the various charging components utilized may vary. One charge found particularly well suitable entails the introduction into a container 10 of rated twelve ounce capacity of nine fluid ounces of diethyl ether, 30 grams of liquid propane, isobutane or butane, and 20 grams of carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide introduced at from 150 p.s.i. to 275 p.s.i. gage pressure to provide an equilibrium pressure of p.s.i. in the container.

In some instances it may be desired to increase the charge of liquid hydrocarbon and to decrease the charge of ether in a container. I have found that a 12-ounce container may be charged with eight ounces of ether, 45 grams of propane, isobutane or butane, and 20 grams of carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide. A container so charged to .a pressure of from 65 p.s.i. to p.s.i. will be highly effective at extremely low operating temperatures.

It is also possible to increase the proportion of the ether employed and to reduce the proportion of the liquid hydrocarbon. tainer may be charged with ten fluid ounces of ether, 15 grams of propane, isobutane or butane, and 20 grams of carbon dioxide or nitrous oxide to provide an equilibrium pressure of from 65 p.s.i. to 110 p.s.i. In each of the examples above, it will be understood that the ether may be diethyl ether, isopropyl ether, or a mixture thereof, or a mixture of either or both types of ether with a diluent of the type described above. It will also be understood that the examples cited above are indicative of an economical range for charging of containers of starting fluid, and that deviations from the precise proportions recited may occur as specific conditions are encountered which indicate the desirability of such deviations.

Thus I have found that a 12-ounce con- In all of the examples cited, the charged container is characterized by a constant pressure from top to bottom thereof at any given temperature. This insures an even spraying pattern upon discharge. Another characteristic is that the discharge rate remains constant during the full discharge of the contents.

During the charging the liquid propane mixes with the ether. Like ether, the liquid propane is flammable and the mixture serves efliciently its function as an engine-starting compound. A further characteristic of the container is that the carbon dioxide dissolves in the mixture of ether and propane, and hence is substantially uniformly dispersed therethrough.

One characteristic of the charged container is that variations in temperature, which might otherwise affect the rate of discharge and variations in the quantity of the charge during discharge, do not affect the rate of discharge with the instant container. In this connection, propane per se has no vaporpressure at temperatures below -44" F. At temperatures above 25 F. the pressure of discharge is a function of both the vapor pressure of the propane and the pressure of the carbon dioxide. At temperatures below 25 F., the charge of carbon dioxide is relied upon to discharge the contents of the container. In all cases for any given temperature, the container charged with both carbon dioxide and propane is characterized by a constant rate of discharge until the container is emptied of all of the engine starting fluid. It is interesting to observe, furthermore, that since propane has a flash point of 156 R, which is a lower flash point than that of ether, its presence in the container enables a manufacturer to use an engine-starting fluid or ether of cheaper type and lower volatility than has been possible heretofore, and that such substitutions of starting fluid can be made without loss of the starting properties of the container charge at low temperatures. One interesting characteristic of containers charged with propane and carbon dioxide is that the variation in the pressure in a container charged therewith, which occurs between starting of discharge of its contents and complete discharge of the starting fluid therefrom, is only approximately ten percent. This is to be distinguished from conventional containers charged with nitrous oxide only wherein pressure in the container will be lowered much more and usually fifty percent or more between the start of the discharge and the finish of the discharge, even when the initial container charge is 100 p.s.i. or more.

The constancy of the pressure in the container during discharge which assures constancy of the rate of discharge is important to the operator in starting a diesel engine in extremely cold weather because it eliminates the need to compensate the time of discharge in correlation with reduction of pressure. In cases where a rapid reduction of discharge pressure occurs, as is true with containers with nitrous oxide only, an adequate charge of starting fluid can be supplied to a given engine only by compensating time of discharge to pressure of discharge or rate of discharge, in order to enable the engine to be started. Uniformity of rate of discharge is also important with the instant container because it insures a substantially constant spray pattern and a substantially uniform atomization of the ether within the engine air intake, and, consequently, it insures substantial uniformity of the fuel-air mixture supplied to the engine cylinders during the starting operation. Another interesting characteristic of the present container is that equalization of container pressure from top to bottom when charged with propane and carbon dioxide occurs only at low temperatures, that is, at temperatures near freezing and below. It will be apparent that since the device is intended for use at low temperatures, this characteristic automatically compensates for the character of intended use of the container. In other words, no care need be exercised to secure uniformity of container pressure since that result occurs automatically with variations of temperature.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been illustrated and described, it will be understood that changes in the construction and the method may be made within the scope of the appended claims without departing from the spirit of the invention.

I claim:

1. The method of charging a valved spray container with an engine starting fluid to be discharged at temperatures below 25 F. consisting of evacuating some air from said container, at one station,

introducing ether type engine starting fluid under pressure into said evacuated container at a second station, then introducing liquid propane under pressure in said container at a third station, and then introducing CO under pressure into said container at a fourth station to produce an equilibrium pressure of at least 65 p.s.i.

2. The method of charging a valved spray container with an engine starting fluid to be discharged at temperatures below 25 F. consisting of evacuating some air from said container at one station,

introducing under pressure into said evacuated container at a second station a quantity of ether type engine starting fluid of from to /5 of the rated capacity of said container, introducing into said container at a third station a quantity of liquid propane under pressure and then introducing CO under pressure into said container at a fourth station to produce an equilibrium pressure between from 65 p.s.i. to p.s.i.

3. The method of charging a valved spray container with an engine starting fluid to be discharged at sub-zero temperatures consisting of evacuating some air from said container at one station,

introducing under pressure into said evacuated container at a second station an engine starting mixture, consisting of ether and rubber solvent, then introducing liquid propane under pressure into said container at a third station, and then introducing CO into said container under pressure at a fourth station to produce an equilibrium pressure of at least 65 p.s.i.

4. The method of charging a valved spray container of 12 ounce rated capacity with an engine starting fluid to be discharged at temperatures below 25 F. consisting of at least partially evacuating air from said container at one station,

introducing under pressure at a second station from 8 to 10 ounces of an ether type starting fluid into said evacuated container, then introducing liquid propane under pressure at a third station an a quantity to fill said container to a predetermined level, and then introducing CO into said container under pressure at a fourth station to produce an equilibrium pressure of at least 65 p.s.i.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,494,454 1/1950 Ritchie 141-9 X 2,518,064 8/1950 Rapisarda 141-20 X 2,613,023 10/ 1952 Reich 141-20 X 2,928,435 3/1960 Strouse 14l-3 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner.

E. EARLS, Examiner. 

1. THE METHOD OF CHARGING A VALVED SPRAY CONTAINER WITH AN ENGINE STARTING FLUID TO BE DISCHARGED AT TEMPERATURES BELOW -25* F. CONSISTING OF EVACUATING SOME AIR FROM SAID CONTAINER, AT ONE STATION, INTRODUCING ETHER TYPE ENGINE STARTING FLUID UNDER PRESSURE INTO SAID EVACUATED CONTAINER AT A SECOND STATION, THEN INTRODUCING LIQUID PROPANE UNDER PRESSURE IN SAID CONTAINER AT A THIRD STATION, AND THEN INTRODUCING CO2 UNDER PRESSURE INTO SAID CONTAINER AT A FOURTH STATION TO PRODUCE AN EQUILIBRIUM PRESSURE OF AT LEAST 65 P.S.I. 